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A potential change in the president-elect’s nomination for defense secretary would further rock Florida politics and is making many apprehensive.

Since President-elect Donald Trump tapped Pete Hegseth as his nominee to lead the Department of Defense, corporate media has bent over backward to resurface years-old allegations of inappropriate behavior and more. As some believed the nominee was facing a similar outcome to former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal as the pick for attorney general, the Wall Street Journal reported Trump was considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as an alternative option.

Citing “people familiar with the discussions,” the newspaper detailed, “The discussions are in their early stages, one of the people said, adding that Trump has floated DeSantis’s name in casual conversation with guests at Mar-a-Lago, his private Florida club.”

“Trump could decide not to choose DeSantis and select another replacement if Hegseth’s nomination falls apart, the people said. Another potential defense secretary candidate who has been discussed by Trump allies, according to people familiar with the matter, is Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official and ally of Vice President-elect JD Vance,” continued the story. “Trump is also considering Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) for the job, some of the people said.”

Word of the potential nomination switch came as both the president-elect and governor were in attendance Tuesday at a memorial honoring Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller, and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio Diaz who were fatally struck by an SUV.

It also came as the barrage of bad press continued for Hegseth who held his ground when confronted with the details of a piece in the New Yorker.

“When you were at Concerned Veterans for America were you ever drunk while traveling on the job?” CBS News reporter Nikole Killion challenged the nominee who replied, “I’m not gonna dignify that with a response.”

As with Hegseth’s background as a major in the Minnesota Army National Guard and a leader in veteran activism, DeSantis’ qualifications for the job as defense secretary were not in question to those not seeking to malign the nominations.

In addition to his tenure as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and his successes as governor of Florida, his distinguished career in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of lieutenant commander while serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps put him on a reported shortlist of choices for Trump.

Still, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tapped for secretary of state, Gaetz’s resignation from Congress before withdrawing his name, and the nomination of Florida Rep. Michael Waltz as national security advisor, the already considerable shakeup in Sunshine State politics was reason enough for some to see DeSantis remain where he is.

Others see the governor as having a greater impact remaining in Tallahassee while some simply want the president-elect to hold his ground on Hegseth among those who lauded the potential pick.

As for DeSantis, he explained during a speech at the University of Notre Dame given the Friday after Election Day, “I think for me, I’m not seeking anything.”

“I’ve got a great job in the state of Florida,” he noted. “How can I best make a difference? I think, you know, given where we are, I think me quarterbacking the Sunshine State is probably how I make the biggest difference.”

Kevin Haggerty
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